Communication Apparatus, System and Method

ABSTRACT

A communication apparatus includes a computer. The apparatus includes a transmitter for transmitting wireless signals in communication with the computer. The apparatus includes a memory in communication with the computer. The apparatus includes a display in communication with the computer. The apparatus includes an operational screen that appears on the display after the apparatus is turned on or woken up. The first operational screen having an arrival icon which when selected causes the computer to send with the transmitter a text stored in the memory to at least one remote contact stored in the memory along with location information from a GPS or tracking location system where the apparatus is currently located. The text indicates that the user has arrived at a destination. A method for communicating.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/869,963filed Jan. 12, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,425,798, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/654,475 filed Jul.19, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,034,156 issued Jul. 24, 2018, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/809,908 filed Jul.27, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,730,040 issued Aug. 8, 2017, which is anonprovisional application of U.S. provisional application Ser. No.62/032,927 filed Aug. 4, 2014, all of which are incorporated byreference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to communicating an emergency signalwirelessly with location information from where the emergency signal isemanating by pushing a button or icon on a display screen that ispresent as a first operational screen on an apparatus. (As used herein,references to the “present invention” or “invention” relate to exemplaryembodiments and not necessarily to every embodiment encompassed by theappended claims.) More specifically, the present invention is related tocommunicating an emergency signal wirelessly with location informationfrom where the emergency signal is emanating by pushing a button or iconon a display screen that is present as a first operational screen on anapparatus where the emergency signal may be a silent text.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects ofthe art that may be related to various aspects of the present invention.The following discussion is intended to provide information tofacilitate a better understanding of the present invention. Accordingly,it should be understood that statements in the following discussion areto be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

There are other types of products currently on the market to try to helpusers in an emergency, but they are all designed very differently. Thepresent invention's design is different than anything on the markettoday. The present invention provides the functions of instant easy‘single click’ access which is critical in an emergency situation, thefunction of increased user customization, the function of allowingremote control access to the invention's display screen, an alertfeature that provides the function of alerting the user if they need tofill out critical information pre-emergency, and the invention isdesigned to be able to allow the user more freedom to use the inventionanywhere in the world rather than in the confines of an organization orpreset geographic area.

There are currently companies that send physical equipment panic buttonproducts to a user which allow users to push a button to send out forhelp and typically include a monthly monitoring fee. Security companieshave been doing this for years. Users can carry around a panic buttondevice that communicates with an alarm panel or additional requiredreceiver installed in the home or business which can then send out apanic button alert when the panic button is pushed. Once the panicbutton is pushed, a remote monitoring station is alerted withinstructions on what the user would like to have happen next. This istypically a separate piece of equipment and charges can be up to $20.00or more per month. The present invention's design can turn the user'sexisting cell phone or computer that they might already own and alreadybe carrying, into a portable panic/emergency/location notificationpersonal safety device, thus eliminating the need for an extra piece ofequipment, and also allowing the user the freedom to send their locationor emergency situation information from virtually anywhere in the worldsince it does not need to communicate with a nearby receiver, and usesthe computer's built in GPS or location information capability. Inaddition, this invention's design can save the user a considerableamount of money by eliminating the need for additional hardware.

There are other alert programs available that can be loaded onto acomputer but to access these programs, users need to turn on or wake uptheir cell phone or other type of computer, and then satisfy theirsecurity prompt, and then hunt and find the app or program in order tosend out an emergency call. None of these are positioned to appear onthe on or wake or lock screen or on or before or immediately after asecurity prompt. In an emergency situation, every second and everysearch and click can matter. This invention's design saves seconds,saves security prompt requirements, saves hunting and finding anemergency app lost in a sea of other apps on a home screen, or worse . .. typically not even being displayed on the home screen, and beingsurrounded by dozens of other apps that a user would spend even moretime trying to find in a stressful emergency situation. This inventionprovides a ‘single click’ function that is designed to be positionedwhere a user can find it fast at the on, wake or lock screen and beforeor with a security prompt the instant the user turns on or wakes uptheir computer. The current invention currently includes an optionalsecond click function that asks the user to confirm if they would liketo initiate the text message to be sent to eliminate false alarms andhelp prevent what is sometimes referred to as ‘butt dialing’, but thisis an optional extra step that has been added, yet not necessary. Thepresent invention is uniquely designed to provide a single clickemergency signal, whereas everything else on the market requiresmultiple clicks which is not as helpful, can cost valuable time and belife threatening in an emergency situation.

Some cell phones on the market today can include an active communicationlink on the lock screen that can be displayed as “Emergency Call”. Thisproduct can be useful, but is very different from this invention andalso has several design problems. First, most people will not push thislink, even if visible pre-emergency. Some people may be afraid to pushit, because they believe it will automatically call 911. This is oftennot always the case. If this product is present on a user's phone, andthe user does push the ‘emergency call’ button, the user is often takento a screen that states “you have no contacts listed”. Then the user isasked to add contacts to be called from their contact list on theirphone or manually added. Imagine you are actually in an emergencysituation. You were not comfortable pushing the Emergency Call textbutton to see how it works prior to an emergency because you were afraidthat it would activate an emergency call automatically. When you do pushit . . . and it is an emergency . . . you are asked to enter contactnumbers in order for this emergency communication link to work tocontact people. What if there is someone standing there with a knife orsomeone has a medical emergency where every second is critical? Thisbuilt in emergency call function is designed to be helpful, but is notdesigned as well as this invention. The present invention is downloadedallowing users to more fully understand how it works. But just asimportantly, the present invention has a function which displays awarning icon to alert a user before an emergency that there are noemergency contacts listed. This warning icon is displayed anytime one ofthe buttons does not have any contacts listed that the user may wantnotified in the event of an emergency. This added feature can betterprepare a user before an emergency, save seconds, and thus save lives.The way that the current emergency call feature available is designed,people are often too afraid to push the button until an emergency isactually taking place, users are not notified or often unaware thatthere are no contacts ready to be called, and the current call featurealso creates an ‘audible’ call which also can put the user in a moredangerous position in some situations. An automatic audible call is notalways ideal and in some situations can be horribly bad. Imagine a useris walking down the street and someone comes up with a knife. Is itreally ideal for the user to push the emergency call button (probablyfor the first time), add contacts (if they were not already entered),and then have an audible live conversation with someone while someone isstanding there with a knife? My invention is different and has built infunctions to notify the user ahead of time and encourage them to entercontact information pre-emergency, and also allows the user the functionof sending a silent text asking for help with exact locationinformation, rather than creating an audible phone call.

Other products on the market include physical panic buttons that a useris supposed to run to and push in the event of an emergency. A goodexample of this is a college campus where they have blue light panicbutton towers set up. I have a daughter in college. Is it really a goodidea for her to try to outrun a bad guy, try to run to the blue light,then wait at that spot since that is where security is being dispatchedto, and continue to wait at that location for someone to come help whilethe bad guy is standing there?

Another product on the market today does try to avoid the time consumingeffort of trying to satisfy the security prompt and then hunt and findan alert app on a cell phone, but the product design requires users topush the on/power button on a cell phone 4 to 5 times to initiate anemergency text message. This can be an idea resulting in disaster. Whatif one of those pushes completely turns the phone or computer off, andthus the user themselves prevents or stops the ability to send out themessage for help.

There are other products on the market that companies are trying to sellthrough organizations such as college campuses, or corporations. Thesecompanies provide an app for a cell phone or computer with pre-loadedgeolocations and pre-loaded instructions on who to call if the userinitiates an emergency signal. Again this will not always work for thetypical college student or consumer. What if a college student isattending a college that is not signed up? What if this college studentwill not download the product because they do not want a third party orcampus security having the ability to see their location at all times?What if this college student has a medical issue, like Juvenile Diabetesor a peanut allergy and the ‘preset’ message is not material? What ifthis college student is not on campus, on spring break, traveling or hasalready graduated. If the student goes to a college in California and ishome in Colorado, how effective are the pre-set emergency text messages?If an employee works at XYZ Corporation and is not at the facility or ateacher is located at ABC middle school, does the pre-set message on whothey want dispatched to the location really work all the time? Doesschool security respond if the teacher or student is not at the school'slocation and 5 miles away at the grocery store parking lot when arobbery is taking place? Who responds then?

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention creates multiple panic, emergency or locationnotification buttons on the wake up display screen of a computer thatare designed to provide, when touched, the function of automaticallysending out a text message to one or more phone numbers as well as thefunction of providing GPS coordinates and a location link that will showa map of the exact location of the person pushing the button. This newinvention's design provides a single click function on the computer'swake or on button display screen so that users can access this functionwith a single click in the event of an emergency and will be able toaccess this invention quickly if needed.

The present invention is related to a communication apparatus. Theapparatus comprises a computer. The apparatus comprises a transmitterfor transmitting wireless signals in communication with the computer.The apparatus comprises a receiver for receiving wireless signals incommunication with the computer. The apparatus comprises a memory incommunication with the computer. The apparatus comprises a globalpositioning system (GPS) or location determining capability system fordetermining the apparatus' location. The apparatus comprises a displayin communication with the computer. The apparatus comprises a firstoperational screen that appears on the display. The first operationalscreen is a first screen through which the computer can be activated andperformed by the computer after the apparatus is turned on or woken upor before or with a lock screen or before or with a security prompt. Thefirst operational screen having an emergency icon which when selectedcauses the computer to send with the transmitter a text stored in thememory to at least one remote contact stored in the memory along withlocation information from the GPS or location determining capabilitysystem where the apparatus is currently located.

The present invention pertains to a method for communicating. The methodcomprises the steps of displaying a first operational screen on adisplay of an apparatus after the apparatus is turned on or woken up.The first operational screen is a first screen through which theapparatus can be activated and performed by the computer after theapparatus is turned on or woken up or before or with a lock screen orbefore or with a security prompt. There is the step of selecting anemergency icon on the first operational screen which causes the computerto send with a transmitter of the apparatus a text stored in the memoryto at least one remote contact stored in the memory along with locationinformation from a GPS or location determining capability system wherethe apparatus is currently located.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

In the accompanying drawings, the preferred embodiment of the inventionand preferred methods of practicing the invention are illustrated inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram regarding the apparatus of the presentinvention

FIG. 2 shows the apparatus display.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the first dialog box.

FIG. 4 shows a Medical dialog box that is associated with the ‘M’button.

FIG. 5 shows the ‘E’ button dialog box:

FIG. 6 shows a screen shot of the dialog box associated with the ‘A’button.

FIG. 7 shows the remote server page.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer tosimilar or identical parts throughout the several views, and morespecifically to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a communication apparatus10. The apparatus 10 comprises a computer 12. The apparatus 10 comprisesa transmitter 14 for transmitting wireless signals in communication withthe computer 12. The apparatus 10 comprises a receiver 15 for receivingwireless signals in communication with the computer 12. The apparatus 10comprises a memory 16 in communication with the computer 12. Theapparatus 10 comprises a global positioning system (GPS) 18 fordetermining the apparatus 10′ location. The apparatus 10 comprises adisplay 20 in communication with the computer 12. The apparatus 10comprises a first operational screen 22 that appears on the display 20.The first operational screen 22 is a first screen through which thecomputer 12 can be activated and performed by the computer 12 after theapparatus 10 is turned on or woken up or before or with a lock screen orbefore or with a security prompt. The first operational screen 22 havingan emergency icon or button which when selected causes the computer 12to send with the transmitter 14 a text stored in the memory 16 to atleast one remote contact stored in the memory 16 along with locationinformation from the GPS or location determining component 18. where theapparatus 10 is currently located. In one embodiment, the firstoperational screen 22 can be on the lock screen so when the lock screenis unlocked; the emergency can be activated (pushed or touched ordepressed or swiped for instance) from the unlocked lock screen. Inanother embodiment, the first operational screen 22 can be on the lockscreen and the emergency icon or button can be activated even though theapparatus 10 is still locked for all other functionality and the unlockfunction on the lock screen has not been activated. In anotherembodiment, the first operational screen 22 can appear immediately asthe first operational screen 22 after the locked screen is unlocked,where the lock screen immediately disappears after the lock screen isunlocked, and the first screen that immediately appears is the homescreen; then the home screen is the first operational screen 22 with thefunctionality of the present invention described herein. In anotherembodiment, the first operational screen 22 can appear on the display 20as the first screen after the apparatus 10 is turned on or wakes up andbefore the lock screen, and the functionality can be activated evenbefore the apparatus 10 is unlocked, for instance at the lock screen. Inanother embodiment, the first operational screen 22 will be the nextdisplay to appear on the display 20 as the first screen to appear afterthe apparatus 10 has gone to sleep. The apparatus 10 may be a cellphone, tablet, IPad, laptop or any other portable device able to beeasily carried by a user and have the ability to communicate wirelesslyto a remote location, such as a server, or other cell phone or receivingstation that can receive the text and location information.

The text may be a silent text. The computer 12 may send the text tomultiple contacts at once stored in the memory 16 along with thelocation information. The operational screen may include a medical iconwhich, when selected, causes the computer 12 to send a medical text withmedical information stored in the memory 16 to at least one medicalcontact stored in the memory 16 along with the location information. Theoperational screen may include a third icon which, when selected, causesthe computer 12 to send a customized text of customized informationstored in the memory 16 to at least one remote customized contact storedin the memory 16 with the location information. The apparatus 10 mayinclude a receiver 15 for receiving wireless signals in communicationwith the computer 12.

Ideally, the screen with the emergency icon becomes the first displayseen but also only after a computer has been asleep. When the computer'stimer allows the computer to go to sleep, the screen with the emergencyicon currently is then set to become the first screen on the displayafter the computer wakes up and is tapped or manually woken up afterasleep.

It is not necessarily desired to have the screen with the emergency iconalways have to display every time the computer is woken up because thatcan end up being terribly annoying. Many phones have settings that whenasleep will be woken up by several events, such as someone tapping thephone, an incoming call, an incoming text, an alarm setting, etc.Preferably, the screen with the emergency icon is only displayed after aphone is asleep and when tapped to wake up or manually woken up afterasleep, and not also pop up when someone gets an incoming call forexample, or an incoming text or an alarm goes off.

For example, let's say a phone is awake. An incoming call occurs whichalso creates another ‘wake’ signal to the phone. The phone is alreadyawake and might already be in use. Then the screen with the emergencyicon pops up on the display before the phone can be answered, since thephone is set to display the screen with the emergency as the firstscreen when a computer is woken up. That becomes more annoying thanhelpful. The person has to get rid of the screen with the emergency iconto answer the phone. Same with an incoming text or alarm for example. Orwhen trying to push the dial pad to enter a password. This would createan unnecessary number of displays that the user may not like. Thus, itis preferable for the screen with the emergency icon current design toappear on the display when a computer is woken up but only after it hasbeen asleep.

The present invention pertains to a method for communicating. The methodcomprises the steps of displaying a first operational screen 22 on adisplay 20 of an apparatus 10 after the apparatus 10 is turned on orwoken up. The first operational screen 22 is a first screen of theapparatus 10 activated and performed by the computer 12 after theapparatus 10 is turned on or woken up or before or with a lock screen orbefore or with a security prompt. There is the step of selecting anemergency icon on the first operational screen 22 which causes thecomputer 12 to send with a transmitter 14 of the apparatus 10 a textstored in the memory 16 to at least one remote contact stored in thememory 16 along with location information from a GPS or locationdetermining system 18 where the apparatus 10 is currently located.

This invention is designed to try to allow users to access the inventionbefore or with a security prompt or lock screen display 20, and before acomputer 12 home screen. If a computer 12, such as an iOS phone ormanufacturer tries to prevent the app from positioning on the lockscreen, the user would be able to find the app on the phone, open it,and then be able and ready to send an emergency text and their locationinformation with ‘a single click’ when they wake up their device. Forexample if someone were walking to their car late at night, they wouldbe able to use the ‘single click’ function that this invention provides.

The present invention's design provides a function which allows the usermore freedom to change, edit and update their own contact list and theirown custom message, and does not rely on a pre-set back-end dispatchconfigured by a third party organization.

The present invention's design is unique from all the above attempts atdesigning a product that can send out for help or alert others abouttheir location. This invention's design provides functions which do notrely on a separate piece of equipment like physical panic buttons orblue light tower buttons. This invention is more cost effective becauseit turns a computer 12 or mobile device that users already have into aproduct that can help save their lives or alert people of their locationwith a single easy to find ‘single click’ button.

This invention's design is unique because it provides the function ofallowing a user to send out a silent text to people rather than anaudible call which many cell phones already have built in, and providesthe function of allowing a user to create custom messages withoutrelying on a third party providing the response service or responseprotocol.

This invention's design is unique because it does not rely on a facilityor organization to have preset emergency alert messages, or have theuser be in a specific area or even affiliated with an organization to beeffective or to work.

This invention's design provides functions that allow the user to befree to provide and create their own contacts they want to send theirlocation information to, free to customize their own messages, free tosend their location information at any time, free to send silentmessages, free to be protected anywhere in the world and to access thisability using an easy to find single click button positioned at the on,wake or lock display 20 screen, thus saving seconds that could savetheir life.

How contacts and customization text associated for a given button isentered:

There are 2 ways that users can customize their contact list orcustomize their text messages that can be automatically sent when theyselect or push the invention's buttons. The first way allows users tocustomize their equipment recovery information, contact information andcreate custom text messages on the computer 12 itself. The second waypossible is to allow users to use a remote server 24 that cancommunicate with the computer 12 apparatus 10 installed to customizetheir recovery, contact information and custom messages from remote.

For the current design, and for the steps to customize the informationon the computer 12 itself, the user would find an information icon 32,such as a black gear box icon on the top right hand corner above theFront Door Security heading. To use this function in the apparatus 10they would first press the gear button icon. FIG. 2 shows the apparatus10 display 20.

When they select the gear box icon on the top right, a series of dialogboxes appear allowing the user to edit, change and update theirinformation.

The first dialog box 26, as shown in FIG. 3, allows the user to enter,edit or update their equipment recovery information which can includeone or more of the following: name, phone number or email. They canedit, change or update whatever they chose to, and then select the‘Done’ or the ‘Next’ button. If they select ‘Done’ the new informationis stored in the memory 16 of the computer 12, and the display 20returns to the original apparatus 10 default display 20 shown in FIG. 2.FIG. 3 shows an example of the first dialog box 26 that currentlydisplays when the user pushes the information icon or more specifically,gear icon on the top right corner:

If the user selects the ‘Next’ button the next dialog box, as shown inFIG. 4 will allow them to enter the contact information that they wouldwant to be notified in a Medical emergency along with a custom messagethat they would like to send. The user can use this Medical dialog box30 to enter up to four numbers that will send an automatic text to ifthe user pushes the ‘M’ button on the apparatus 10 display 20 screen.When this dialog box appears the user can choose to enter, edit orupdate information and then select three buttons at the bottom of the‘M’ dialog box when finished editing, changing or updating the Medicalcontact and message information which are ‘Back’, ‘Done’, or ‘Next’. Ifthe user selects ‘Back’, the user is taken back to the previous dialogbox which is currently the equipment recovery dialog box. If the userselects ‘Done’, the user updates their Medical contact and custommessage information associated with the ‘M’ button which will allow thisinformation to be stored in the memory 16 of the computer 12, and theuser will return to the default apparatus 10 display 20. FIG. 4 shows anexample of the current Medical dialog box 30 that is associated with the‘M’ button. This information is stored by the apparatus 10 in the memory16 of the computer 12, so if the user pushes the ‘M’ button these arethe contact phone numbers the apparatus 10 will use to provide thefunction of sending outgoing text message(s) and any custom messageprovided as well as location information when the user pushes the ‘M’button:

If the user selects the ‘Next’ button they will be taken to the nextdialog box, shown in FIG. 5, which is currently the Emergency dialog box28 where they can add, edit or update the contacts they would like tohave contacted in the event they push the ‘E’ button on the apparatus 10default display 20. After editing or changing the information using thisdialog box, the user can then select the ‘Back’, ‘Done’ or ‘Next’button. After entering or changing information, this information will beupdated to the memory 16 stored in the computer 12, so that if the userselects the ‘E’ button that will provide the function of sending thecontacts entered an emergency text with an emergency custom message andlocation information generated by the computer 12. FIG. 5 shows anexample of the ‘E’ button dialog box.

Currently, the ‘Back’ button will take the user back to the Medicaldialog input box, the ‘Done’ button will update any information to thedata stored in the memory 16 of the computer 12 and also take the userto the default apparatus 10 display 20 and the ‘Next’ button will takethe user to the ‘Arrived’ or custom dialog box 32 associated with the‘A’ button, shown in FIG. 6.

When the user arrives at the ‘A’ button dialog box 32, the user canenter up to 4 numbers and a custom message that will be sent when theuser selects the ‘A’ button on the default apparatus 10 display 20screen. They can enter, edit or update information and then they canselect the ‘Back’ or ‘Done’ button. The ‘Back’ button will currentlytake them back to the Emergency input dialog box. Selecting the ‘Done’button will update any new information and send this information to thedata stored in the memory 16 of the computer 12 that the apparatus 10will access if the user pushes the ‘A’ button and also take the userback to the default apparatus 10 display 20 screen. The ‘A’ button isfully customizable. For example, the A button can be customized to be an‘Alert’ button at a school. For example, the student or person sendingthe distress signal is not directly in danger. Perhaps someone sees anaccident or something disturbing and simply wants to silently alertsomeone of something going on. The A button can also stand for‘Arrived’. In this situation a teenager could push the A button whichwould provide the function of quickly texting their parents or friendsthat they have ‘Arrived’ at a location. This would make it super easyfor someone to quickly let people know that they have arrived with asingle click of a button, and would also be helpful for parents toconfirm ‘when’ their child had arrived as well as confirm ‘where’ theirchild has actually arrived.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a screen shot of the dialog box 32 associatedwith the ‘A’ button:

The screen shots above currently appear when users select and use thegear icon to add, edit or update their information that appears or isassociated with the apparatus 10 MEA buttons. When the user updatestheir information associated with the buttons or icons on the apparatus10 screen, this information is stored in the memory 16 of the computer12, so that if the user selects any of the buttons, the apparatus 10performs the function of using the pre-set instructions to notify thecontacts associated with the specific button, with the user specifiedcustom message and with location information also included if thecomputer 12 is able to access the GPS or location determining capabilitysystem 18 included with the computer 12 to send a link to display 20 amap of the exact location as well.

The apparatus 10 also provides for the ability to communicate with aremote server 24. Thus by changing equipment recovery information, orcontact phone numbers and custom messages using the gear icon in theuser's computer 12, this information is not only updated in the memory16 of the computer 12, but is also updated on a remote server 24associated with the user's account that the user created whendownloading the product.

The remote server 24 provides a second way that users can customizetheir equipment recovery information, contact list or custom textmessage. The invention could be a stand-alone invention and not requirea remote server 24, but adding remote server 24 capability can beuseful. The remote server 24 is added because it can be helpful andprovide an additional revenue model for the product by allowingadditional useful content to also be delivered to the display 20 screensuch as apps, ads, offers, logos or information. The remote server 24can also be helpful in changing and updating owner recovery informationfrom remote if a computer goes missing.

View of the server and the server's operation.

The invention provides a function of allowing communication to a remoteserver which allows users to update their equipment recoveryinformation, and update their contacts and custom messages that theywould like to be affiliated with the MEA buttons currently on theapparatus 10 display 20 screen from remote. Being able to changeequipment recovery information from remote is very helpful. For example,if someone is traveling, they can remotely update the equipment recoveryphone number to a hotel number or the cell phone number of a friend thatthey may be traveling with. The invention currently also displays andprovides functions for three MEA panic/emergency location communicationbuttons, but there is no limit to the number of buttons the inventioncan add.

Currently, if the user would like to edit the contact numbers ormessages associated with the apparatus 10 MEA buttons using the remoteserver 24, the user would go on-line to access the remote server 24. Theuser would type in the server's Internet address. The user would arriveat the server's website. Ideally, the user would log-in to the serverusing a user name and password. If the user name and password werecorrect, the user would be allowed access to their account hosted by theserver. The user could then change the contact numbers and custommessage that would be associated with the MEA buttons that appear on theapparatus 10 display 20 screen. When the user updates the MEA buttoninformation on the server, this information will be remotely downloadedto the data stored in the memory 16 of the user's computer 12, so thatafter the update, if the user selects the M or E or A button, the newcontacts or new message will be sent according to the new information.

Here is a picture draft of what a user could see in their account usingthe remote server 24 to edit, change or update information in theiraccount.

Server Screen Sample in Customer Account

Please fill in up to 4 contacts that you would like to send a text to inthe event of a Medical Emergency. If in an emergency you should firstcall 911 if possible. In the event you would also like to quickly notifyothers please push the M button. Your cell phone will try to send a textmessage with a note to the phone numbers you have listed in addition toa map showing your location if your GPS is enabled. You can also editthe message below. Make sure that the contact numbers you list are cellphone numbers that can receive a text.

Message Contact 1 Contact 2 Contact 3 Contact 4 EDIT M I am in trouble.I xxx-xxx- UPDATE have xyz (for xxxx example JDRF) medical condition.Please send help to my location. My phone number is xxx- xxx-xxxx

Please fill in up to 4 contacts that you would like to send a text to inthe event of an emergency. If in an emergency you should first call 911if possible. In the event a silent text seems safer than making a phonecall, or after a 911 call, push the E button. A text will instantly besent with a note to all the phone numbers you have listed in addition toa link that will display a map of your location if your GPS is enabled.You can also edit the message below. Make sure that the contact numbersyou list are cell phone numbers that can receive a text.

Message Contact 1 Contact 2 Contact 3 Contact 4 EDIT E I am in troubleand xxx-xxx- UPDATE sending a silent text. xxxx Please do NOT call meback, but send help to this location.

This is a custom button. You can use it to text people to say you havearrived in a split second. You can customize it to also alert people toa situation. Please fill in up to 4 contacts. A text will be sent with anote to the phone numbers you have listed in addition to a link todisplay a map of your location if your GPS is enabled. You can also edityour message. Make sure that the contact numbers you list are cell phonenumbers that can receive a text message.

Message Contact 1 Contact 2 Contact 3 Contact 4 EDIT A I have arrivedxxx-xxx- UPDATE xxxx

Mobile Licenses and Display Page (Admin Only)

On the remote server 24 that the invention can communicate with, therewill be another page to allow authorized parties to include a functionthat can allow ads, logos, pictures or app links to be communicated tothe invention to appear on the invention display 20 screen. This willprovide a function that will allow the invention to provide more thanone revenue model for the invention, for example: 1) licensing, 2) an adsupported revenue model, or 3) a combination of both.

APP AD CID License EndDate APP picture address Ad Picture website  

The remote server 24 will be able to not only provide the function ofallowing the user to change and customize their recovery screen to helpthem with recovering lost or stolen equipment, allow them to try to sendout an alert to be rescued if in danger, but authorized parties or theparty providing the invention to the user, will also be able to have theability to control the display 20 and deliver ads, apps, logos,information, pictures or designs to the screen from remote. Anauthorized party can add an advertisement picture, or app picture withinstructions on what will happen if the user pushes or selects the ad orapp on the invention's display 20 screen. The invention provides afunction that allows these additional types of communications from theremote server 24, stores the information in the memory 16 of thecomputer 12, and displays the information on the invention's display 20.An authorized party can update information on the remote server 24 atany time, and this new updated information will be communicated to theinvention which will update the information stored in the memory 16 ofthe computer 12, and will replace the previous information and displaythe new information on the invention's display 20. FIG. 7 shows theremote server 24 page.

This system can help people protect and recover their equipment, helpsave people's lives, and also provide functions to provide helpfulcontent or information on the display 20 screen, which can help reducethe cost for the user by providing the function of allowing the abilityto generate revenue from app companies, web content providers, and/orother information or product providers.

Although the invention has been described in detail in the foregoingembodiments for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood thatsuch detail is solely for that purpose and that variations can be madetherein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention except as it may be described by thefollowing claims.

1. A communication apparatus comprising: a computer; a transmitter fortransmitting wireless signals in communication with the computer; amemory in communication with the computer; a global positioning system(GPS) or location tracking system for determining the apparatus'location; a display in communication with the computer; and anoperational screen that appears on the display as a screen after theapparatus is turned on or woken up or only after the computer is asleepor not when the computer receives an incoming call or an incoming textor an alarm goes off in the apparatus, the operational screen is thescreen through which the computer can be activated and performed by thecomputer after the apparatus is turned on or woken up or only after thecomputer is asleep or not when the computer receives an incoming call oran incoming text or an alarm goes off in the apparatus, the operationalscreen having an arrival icon which when selected causes the computer tosend with the transmitter a text stored in the memory to at least oneremote contact stored in the memory along with location information fromthe GPS where the apparatus is currently located, the text indicatesthat the user has arrived at a destination.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the operational screen includes a medical icon which, whenselected, causes the computer to send a medical text with medicalinformation stored in the memory to at least one medical contact storedin the memory along with the location information.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the operational screen includes a custom icon which,when selected, causes the computer to send a customized text ofcustomized information stored in the memory to at least one remotecustomized contact stored in the memory with the location information.4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the custom icon is an alert icon,which when activated, causes the computer to send a text that alerts atleast one remote customized contact of an alert.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 2 wherein the memory has a medical dialog box in which a text thatis to be transmitted when the medical icon is activated is entered and aphone number to which the text in the medical dialog box is to be sentis entered.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the memory has a customdialog box in which a text that is to be transmitted when the customicon is activated is entered and a phone number to which the text in thealert dialog box is to be sent is entered.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the computer sends the text regarding arrival to multiplecontacts at once stored in the memory along with the locationinformation.
 8. A method for communicating comprising the steps of:displaying an operational screen on a display of an apparatus after theapparatus is turned on or woken up or only after the computer is asleepor not when the computer receives an incoming call or an incoming textor an alarm goes off in the apparatus, the operational screen is thescreen through which the computer can be activated and performed by thecomputer after the apparatus is turned on or woken up or only after thecomputer is asleep or not when the computer receives an incoming call oran incoming text or an alarm goes off in the apparatus, the operationalscreen having an arrival icon which when selected causes the computer tosend with the transmitter a text stored in the memory to at least oneremote contact stored in the memory along with location information fromthe GPS where the apparatus is currently located, the text indicatesthat the user has arrived at a destination; and selecting an arrivalicon on the operational screen which causes the computer to send with atransmitter of the apparatus a text stored in the memory to at least oneremote contact stored in the memory along with location information froma GPS or location tracking system where the apparatus is currentlylocated, the text indicates that the user has arrived at a destination.9. The method of claim 8 including the step of activating an informationicon on the display so a series of dialog boxes appear on the display.10. The method of claim 9 including the step of updating on a remoteserver information in at least one of the dialog boxes.